How to Change Your Windows Hostname

Change Windows Hostname

This article will cover how to change a Windows hostname running the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2016

Please note that you'll need to be logged into your server before proceeding.

Windows Server 2008 R2

First: Click on the Start icon

Second: Right-click Computer

Third: Select Properties

Fourth: The System menu will open in a new window

Fifth: Select Change settings

Sixth: This will open System Properties in a new window

Seventh: Click Change

Eighth: Enter the new computer name in the Computer name field

Ninth: Click OK

Tenth: A new dialog box will appear prompting you that the server will need to be restarted for the changes to take effect

Eleventh: Click OK

Twelfth: Click Close

Thirteenth: If you're ready to restart your server, select Restart Now

After the restart, your Windows hostname will be updated.

Windows Server 2012 R2

First: Click on the Windows icon

Second: In the new Window that opens, right-click This PC

Third: Select Properties

Fourth: The System window will appear.

Fifth: Click Change settings

Sixth: This will open System Properties in a new window

Seventh: Click Change

Eighth: Enter the new computer name in the Computer name field

Ninth: Click OK

Tenth: A new dialog box will appear prompting you that the server will need to be restarted for the changes to take effect

Eleventh: Click OK

Twelfth: Click Close

Thirteenth: If you're ready to restart your server, select Restart Now

After the restart, your Windows hostname will be updated.

Windows Server 2016

First: Click on the Windows icon

Second: Click on the gear icon to open the Settings app.

Third: Click on the System section of the Settings app

Fourth: Click on the About section in the left sidebar to bring up the system properties.

Fifth: Click the Rename PC button

Sixth: Enter a new PC name in the text box

Seventh: Click Next

Eighth: A new dialog box will appear prompting you that the server will need to be restarted for the changes to take effect

Ninth: Click Restart now

After the restart, your Windows hostname will be updated.